Deforestation In Haiti

Haiti Environmental Issues

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Deforestation in Haiti has damaged fertile farmland soils, which has contributed to Haiti environmental issues like desertification.

The palm trees and vegetation of Haiti.

Hait was lush, with 60% of its original forest covering the lands and mountain regions in 1925.

Things have changed drastically since then and as of 2006, the population had cut down almost all of its original forest, leaving only 2% undestroyed.

Erosion has been the most severe in the mountainous regions where Haitians have been logging to produce charcoal, the country's chief fuel source.

Numerous reforestation efforts from nations around the world have had little success to date.

Haiti Environmental Issues

The deforestation has caused not only soil erosion, but also periodic flooding. Tropical storm Jeanne affected the north coast of Haiti in September 2004, causing mudslides and killing over 3,000 people.

Earlier that same year in May, flooding killed over 3,000 people on the southern border shared with the Dominican Republic.

Once again, in August and September of 2008 tropical storms raged against the country with heavy winds and rain.

With already weak soil conditions, the mountainous terrain, and the devastating effects of four storms in less than four weeks, the valley and lowland areas throughout the country experienced massive flooding.

The storms proved all the more life threatening due to already high food and fuel prices having caused a food crisis and political unrest.

The devestating effects of yet even more environmental damage from the earthquake of January 12, 2010, has left a huge footprint on the country.

The search for solutions to both the energy and environmental problems continues.

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